Sports

The Royals, who spent 17 years in Conference Carolinas, are moving to the SAC effective July 1, 2013. The league’s Presidents Council voted unanimously to approve Queens and Coker (S.C.) for membership. Both schools will begin SAC competition in the SAC in the 2013-14 academic year after spending 2012-13 in Conference Carolinas.

“We believe that the addition of these two fine schools will enhance the experience of all SAC student-athletes and elevate the visibility and long-term strength of the conference,” SAC Commissioner Patrick Britz said.

Adding Queens and Coker will boost SAC membership to 12 schools and is the conference’s first expansion since 2010, when Anderson (S.C.) University joined. The league will also explore the possibility of splitting into divisions for some sports at its June leadership meetings.

“It is with great enthusiasm that we join the South Atlantic Conference as a member institution,” Queens Athletic Director Jeannie King said. “We have long respected the SAC and feel that the timing is right for Queens University of Charlotte to make this move.”

Coker will compete in all but one of 14 sports sanctioned by the SAC with the exception of football. Queens, which doesn’t play football or baseball, will field teams in 12 sports.

Queens, which enrolls 2,600 students, has had six student-athletes win individual national championships in the last five seasons. Eight student-athletes earned All-American honors in 2011-12 and the Royals won Conference Carolinas Tournament titles in women’s golf and men and women’s cross-country.

“Aligning with the South Atlantic Conference will position Queens to continue strengthening our athletic programs and enhancing the experience for our student-athletes,” Queens President Pamela Davies said. “We are excited to give our student-athletes opportunities to compete at the highest level and look forward to an exciting future as a SAC member.”

The Coker men’s golf team won the 2012 Conference Carolinas championship, and the men’s soccer team earned its first berth in the NCAA tournament last fall.

"The South Atlantic Conference is a signature conference in Division II, and we embrace this opportunity as a vital step in our efforts to expand and enrich Coker College athletics,” Coker President Robert Wyatt said. “I am excited and proud to accept this invitation.”

“The South Atlantic Conference is privileged and excited to welcome Coker College and Queens University of Charlotte as members,” said Lenoir-Rhyne President Wayne Powell, chair of the SAC Presidents Council. “Both schools will bring impressive pedigrees to the league.”